Table of Contents Quick and Handy Grammar Review: Prepositions 2 Exercise 1: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 6 Exercise 2: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 7 Exercise 3: Sentence Stems: Complete each sentence. 8 Exercise 4: Sentence Stems: Complete each sentence. 9 Exercise 5: Error Correction: Rewrite each sentence correctly. 10 Exercise 6: Error Correction: Rewrite each sentence correctly. 11 Exercise 7: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 12 Exercise 8: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 13 Exercise 9: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 14 Exercise 10: Write an appropriate preposition in each blank. 15 Answer Key 16 Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 1
Quick and Handy Grammar Review: Prepositions Prepositions You are probably not surprised to learn that many professors consider prepositions to be the most difficult part of speech to use. Why? Because they are always abstract. You can t see, feel, taste, smell, or hear prepositions. That is because they express relationships between or among things, but they do not express or describe things themselves. The following is a list of common prepositions, some notes on their use, and examples. Preposition Notes Examples About Meanings: on (the subject of) and around (a place) I read a book about the war. The speech was about causes of cancer. You can now move freely about the cabin. Above Across After Against Along Among Around At Before Behind Below Beneath Meaning: on top of Meaning: on the other side Meaning: later in time Meanings: opposed to and in contact with Meaning: on the side of Meaning: in the midst of Meanings: in a circle and turning a corner Meanings: to state time and to state a place Meaning: earlier in time Meaning: in back of Meaning: under or underneath Meaning: under and lower in status I placed the painting above the table. The blue sky was above us all afternoon. The theater is across the street from the bank. Columbus traveled across the ocean in 1492. After the game, the players went to dinner. After lunch, I studied in the library. The students were very tired after the exam. Mr. Jones ran against Ms. Adams for treasurer. The umbrella is leaning against the wall. We strolled along the bank of the river. There are many hotels along the Danube. There is a cat sitting among the flowers. He was found among the dead after the battle. The teacher walked around the room. Ken lives around the block. The game starts at 9:00. Maya studies at the University of Nebraska. Leslie works at Apple Computers. Before breakfast, I took a walk. I would like to finish before noon. The movie ended before 10:00. I hid the bag behind the couch. Nestor was standing right behind me. The bag is below the desk. The temperature is 11 degrees below zero. The dog was sleeping beneath the table. Do you think that working for that company is beneath you? Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 2
Common prepositions chart continued... Preposition Notes Examples Beside Meaning: next to I stood beside Mr. Johnson. The chair is beside the table. Besides Meaning: in addition to Besides John, Jane and Alicia are going. Between Meaning: in the middle of (two things or people) The blue car is between the red and the white ones. I was sitting between Toshiko and Nabuko. Beyond By Meanings: more than and farther than Meanings: near, ownership, and how something was done Ines became rich beyond her wildest dreams. Xavier looked beyond the blue horizon. Patrick lives by the sea. That book was written by Harlan Cobin. I sent the letter by mail. Despite Meaning: contrast Despite the rain, we still had a picnic. Down During For From Meaning: opposite of up Meaning: something is in progress Meanings: to show the intended recipient and purpose Meanings: to show the origin and to show the start time or place She ran down the hill. The cat went down the stairs. There was a terrible storm during the night. During the movie, Carl ate two bags of popcorn. This gift is for Helga. I m taking this course for my degree. This package is from my brother. This shop is open from 9:00 to 5:00. In Meaning: inside The check is in my pocket. Into Meaning: put inside I put the change into my wallet. Like Meaning: similarity Vicki looks just like her mother. Near Meaning: close to Paul lives near his school. Of Off Meaning: possession and materials Meaning: opposite of on The wines of France are excellent. Diana s shirt is made of silk. Keep your books off the table. Iris fell off her bicycle. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 3
Common prepositions chart continued... Preposition Notes Examples On Meanings: on top of and about The bag is on the table. I read a book on the election of 2008. Out Meanings: to go outside and opposite of in Kris went out the door at six o clock. Victor jumped out the window and ran away. Over Meaning: above The airplane is flying over the house. Since Meaning: a start time Wes has worked for Target since 1999. Through Meaning: to go from one side to the other I walked through the park. Throughout Meaning: for the term of Throughout his life, he was always kind and gentle. Till Meaning: up to the time I worked till 10:00 last night. To Meaning: direction Ashley is going to Colombia next fall. Lon gave a ring to his girlfriend. Toward(s) Meaning: in the direction of The truck was coming directly toward(s) us. Under Meaning: below The cat hid under the couch. Until Meaning: up to the time Ziggy will work until 2018. Walter will stay in China until July. Up Meaning: above Kristin hiked up the mountain. The bathroom is up the stairs to your right. Upon Meaning: when (poetic use) Once upon a time, there was a noble queen. With Meaning: together I had dinner with Arnold yesterday. Are you with me or against me? Within Meaning: inside Hal tried to live within his income. Within these walls are many treasures. Without Meaning: lacking People cannot live without water. I cannot live without you. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 4
Prepositional Phrases One of the most common constructions in the English language is the prepositional phrase. You can find prepositional phrases in almost every sentence. Sometimes there are even two or three prepositional phrases used in the same sentence. The basic prepositional phrase has three words: preposition, article, noun. This is the most common construction. Other words, such as adjectives, may be added. The article is not used in some phrases, and the noun may be replaced by a pronoun. Analyze the following examples: In the closet (preposition, article, noun) Over the chair (preposition, article, noun) To the woman (preposition, article, noun) From the mall (preposition, article, noun) To India Near Syria After lunch (preposition, noun) (preposition, noun) (preposition, noun) Toward me With them (preposition, pronoun) (preposition, pronoun) Phrasal Verbs Many verbs are followed by prepositions. These prepositions often change the meaning of the verb. Analyze the differences among the following phrasal verbs: John threw away his old notebook. (meaning: to get rid of) Harold threw up after he drank too much beer. (meaning: to vomit) Patricia looked up the word in the dictionary. (meaning: to check) George looked into becoming a nurse. (meaning: to research) David looked up to his boss. (meaning: to admire) Sally looks out for her little brother. (meaning: to take care of) Cindy wanted to try on the new dress. (meaning: to put on for the first time) Sam is going to try out the new high speed internet service for one month. (meaning: to try for the first time) Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 5
Exercise 1: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 1. Henrietta met her boyfriend the bus from Washington to Miami. a. in b. at c. on d. between 2. I have never seen such a gigantic nose my whole life. a. in b. at c. on d. between 3. Chita Rodriguez comes Cuba. a. in b. from c. on d. until 4. We will go dancing midnight. a. in b. at c. on d. from 5. Anesha usually goes. a. in the summer India b. to India in the summer c. to India on the summer d. over the summer to India 6. Hank made many mistakes the past. a. in b. at c. on d. from 7. Joseph, Won Min and Adytya are also going. a. beside b. besides c. addition to d. in addition 8. love, life is very difficult. a. with b. without c. within d. in 9. The whole family goes out to breakfast Sunday mornings. a. in b. at c. on d. from 10. I think that Horace s father was arrested the fall. a. in b. at c. on d. from Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 6
Exercise 2: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 1. Little Rosita is afraid dogs. a. in b. at c. on d. of 2. Mamma found Sergio hiding the bed. a. in b. at c. on d. under 3. Some little children do not like to go school. a. to the b. to c. at the d. from 4. My two brothers really love to go the mall. a. for b. to c. at d. from 5. Daniel s father looked him right and knew he was lying. a. in the eye b. on the eye c. from the eye d. into the eyes 6. The thief stole the handbag the woman Fifth Avenue. a. in / on b. from / in c. from / on d. with / on 7. Silvia traveled the world. She went Asia, South America, and Africa. a. around / on b. around / to c. across / to d. in / to 8. The rug the coffee table is Iran. a. beneath / from b. beneath / to c. under / to d. underneath / to 9. Nick sat his wife the party. a. besides / at b. besides / in c. beside / from d. beside / at 10. Mahmoud read a book the Russian revolution. a. from b. at c. on d. to Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 7
Exercise 3: Sentence stems: Complete each sentence. 1. After the storm, 2. Down by the river, 3. Among the survivors, 4. Near the town of Roxbury, 5. Before breakfast, 6. In my heart, 7. Around the corner, 8. Between you and me, 9. For the past three years, 10. Besides Charlie and Mohammed, Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 8
Exercise 4: Sentence Stems: Complete each sentence. 1. throughout my life. 2. toward the exit. 3. in my dreams. 4. across the ocean. 5. under the bed. 6. in the winter. 7. far from the one she loves. 8. at 7:30 pm. 9. on Thursday afternoon. 10. with dolls. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 9
Exercise 5: Error Correction: Correct the mistakes in the following sentences. Then rewrite each sentence correctly. 1. I didn t stay up late. I was asleep on midnight. 2. She met her best friend on September, 1999 at Seoul. 3. Anita moved of Rome at 2006. 4. The plane finally arrived on 5:46 pm. 5. Bob met his future wife in a bus, not on a taxi. 6. In this moment, Ushbek is studying from Bunker Hill Community College. 7. Don t pay attention at that fortune-teller. She has no idea about events on the future. 8. My mother and father don t drive on the dark, so they stay home at the night. 9. I think that Tom is in a date with Sally. I think she is separated to her husband. 10. That woman is staring to the man on the other table. He is looking off the window. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 10
Exercise 6: Error Correction: Correct the mistakes in the following sentences. Then rewrite each sentence correctly. 1. On Sunday, Jong goes to the church for to pray. 2. At the summer, my family goes to beach to swim. 3. On her living room, there is an end table next the couch. 4. Barbara found her purse under chair on the family room. 5. Bobby read a book across the Second World War. 6. The bakery is next the diner. 7. The children walked for the park to get home quickly. 8. My mother cannot live with her ipod. She always listens music. 9. I saw the plane moving to the airport, but I did not see it land. 10. Before breakfast, Sidney jogged on the park. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 11
Exercise 7: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 1. Can you tell me a little bit your experience? a. in b. about c. on d. of 2. I think I left my laptop the couch. a. in b. at c. on d. down 3. Some little children are afraid animals. a. to the b. to c. of d. of the 4. We had a picnic the tall elm tree. a. beneath b. on c. on top of d. next 5. The crowd cheered continuously the game. a. beside b. near c. during d. by 6. I am not completely you. I just don t share all your opinions. a. for b. against c. near d. beside 7. John s father was standing right him at the concert. a. in front b. next c. behind d. on 8. Don t forget to turn the television off before you go bed. a. to b. to c. to the d. to 9. the rain, the game was not canceled. a. despite b. in spite c. despite from d. because of 10. the class, the students walked slowly the room. a. before / out to b. after / out of c. during / in of d. after from / out Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 12
Exercise 8: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 1. Can you tell me how to get library? a. to b. to the c. toward the d. from the 2. I think you left your book the table over there. a. in b. at c. on d. down 3. the walls of the ancient city, there are many secrets. a. Without b. Within c. Above d. Through 4. John had a discussion his advisor yesterday. a. from b. on c. with d. to 5. I took a walk the river. It was so peaceful. a. after b. along c. during d. through 6. Quentin has lived in Texas July. a. for b. since c. from d. at 7. John s father said that he will work 9:00 tonight. a. until b. without c. over d. for 8. I found your old love letter some papers that I had left in my desk drawer. a. around b. against c. after d. among 9. My best friend lives right the street me. a. across / to b. across / from c. across / for d. across / on 10. The temperature was 11 degrees zero yesterday. a. below b. from c. to d. above Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 13
Exercise 9: Choose the correct preposition for each blank. 1. The Rodriguez family goes church every Sunday. a. to b. to the c. toward the d. from the 2. I will always stand you, thick and thin. a. besides / in b. beside / through c. besides / through d. on / through 3. the blue skies me, I felt like a new man. a. with / below b. with / above c. without / above d. with / toward 4. Joshua lives a bakery and a bagel shop. a. from b. on c. with d. between 5. Calculus III is way me. I don t understand anything in the class. a. after b. along c. beyond d. through 6. Omar always stays his room to relax before a big exam. a. on b. for c. in d. under 7. I will love you I die. I promise. a. till b. during c. when d. without 8. Once a time, an old man was living a bridge. a. upon / under b. upon / next c. upon / through d. on / below 9. When I saw the ball coming me, I didn t know what to do. a. across b. about c. toward d. from 10. I have always tried to be honest and sincere my life. a. until b. across c. to d. throughout Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 14
Exercise 10: Write an appropriate preposition in each blank. Note: You will also need to write to for all infinitive verbs. Hidden in Plain Sight They say that when you want (1) hide something, one (2) the best places (3) hide it is (4) plain sight. (5) a story written (6) Edgar Allan Poe called The Purloined Letter, a cunning man, known as Mr. X, stole a secret letter (7) an important woman. He threatened to show the letter to everyone if she did not pay him a great deal (8) money. She went (9) the police, and they secretly searched Mr. X s apartment. They started by looking (10) the rugs and (11) the books (12) the bookshelves. Nothing. Then they looked (13) the bed and (14) all the closets, but they could not find it. They thought that Mr. X was carrying the letter (15) his pocket or (16) his wallet, so they followed him (17) a park, but they were unsuccessful in finding the letter. The police called the famous detective Auguste Dupin, and asked him (18) investigate the case. Dupin wore dark sunglasses and went (19) Mr. X s house. While he was sitting (20) the table drinking a cup (21) tea, he looked (22) the whole room. He looked at the paintings (23) the wall, the books (24) the desk, and even the cat sleeping (25) the rug. Finally, he looked (26) a bowl (27) some letters in it. He noticed that one (28) the letters looked familiar. Dupin knew that this one was the stolen letter. When Mr. X heard a shout from (29) the front window, he ran (30) see what was happening. In the meantime, Dupin took the stolen letter and replaced it (31) a similar one that he had (32) his pocket. He thanked Mr. X (33) the coffee and hurried out. This is how the detective found the stolen letter. It was hidden in plain sight, right (34) the table. Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 15
Answer Key Exercise 1: Choose the correct preposition. 1. c 2. a 3. b 4. b 5. b 6. a 7. b 8. b 9. c 10. a Exercise 2: Choose the correct preposition. 1. d 2. d 3. b 4. b 5. a 6. c 7. b 8. a 9. d 10. c Exercise 3: Sentence Stems: Complete each sentence. Answers will vary. Examples: 1. After the storm, the sun came out. 2. Down by the river, six fishermen were having their lunch. 3. Among the survivors, there were two children and one woman. 4. Near the town of Roxbury, there is a large mall. 5. Before breakfast, I took a walk around the block. 6. In my heart, I know that I am right. 7. Around the corner, there is a large green house. 8. Between you and me, I don t trust Larry. 9. For the past three years, my sister has lived in Winnipeg. 10. Besides Charlie and Mohammed, Aisha and Hee Jung are also coming to the party. Exercise 4: Sentence Stems: Complete each sentence. Answers will vary. Examples:. 1. I have loved music throughout my life. 2. The satisfied concertgoers headed toward the exit. 3. I am the best soccer player in the league in my dreams. 4. Hal s brother lives across the ocean. 5. The dog was hiding under the bed. 6. We go skiing in the winter. 7. Thelma lives far from the one she loves. 8. The movie will start at 7:30 pm. 9. Teresa has Spanish class on Thursday afternoon. 10. My little sister loves to play with dolls. Exercise 5: Error Correction. 1. I didn t stay up late. I was asleep at midnight. 2. She met her best friend in September, 1999 in Seoul. 3. Anita moved to Rome in 2006. 4. The plane finally arrived at 5:46 pm. 5. Bob met his future wife on a bus, not in a taxi. 6. At this moment, Ushbek is studying at Bunker Hill Community College. 7. Don t pay attention to that fortune-teller. She has no idea about events in the future. 8. My mother and father don t drive in the dark so they stay home at night. 9. I think that Tom is on a date with Sally. I think she is separated from her husband. 10. That woman is staring at the man at the other table. He is looking out the window. Exercise 6: Error Correction. 1. On Sunday, Jong goes to church to pray. 2. In (the) summer, my family goes to the beach to swim. 3. In her living room, there is an end table next to the couch. 4. Barbara found her purse under the chair in the family room. 5. Bobby read a book about (on) the Second World War. 6. The bakery is next to the diner. 7. The children walked through the park to get home quickly. 8. My mother cannot live without her ipod. She always listens to music. 9. I saw the plane moving toward the airport, but I did not see it land. 10. Before breakfast, Sidney jogged in (around) (through) the park. Prepositions Exercise 7: Choose the correct preposition. 1. b 2. c 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. b 7. c 8. d 9. a 10. b Exercise 8: Choose the correct preposition. 1. b 2. c 3. b 4. c 5. b 6. b 7. a 8. d 9. b 10. a Exercise 9: Choose the correct preposition. 1. a 2. b 3. b 4. d 5. c 6. c 7. a 9. c 8. a 10. d Exercise 10: Write an appropriate preposition in each blank. (Answers may vary.) 1. to 2. of 3. to 4. in 5. In 6. by 7. from 8. of 9. to 10. under 11. behind 12. on 13. under 14. in 15. in 16. in 17. into 18. to 19. to 20. at 21. of 22. around 23. on 24. on 25. on 26. in 27. with 28. of 29. outside 30. to 31. with 32. in 33. for 34. out 35. on Spelling Note: This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Theater (p. 2), Traveled (p. 2 & 7), and Canceled (p. 12). Most other English-speaking countries spell these words this way: Theatre, Travelled, and Cancelled. Make it a challenge for your students to find these words in the text and see if they know the alternate spellings. Editor s Note: Preposition or Adverb? Some words in English such as up, down, on, off, etc. can function as prepositions or adverbs depending on sentence position and function. Check out our blog post on this topic, refresh your memory on the rules, and decide if it s worth mentioning to your students. http://www.esl-library.com/blog/2013/05/09/ preposition-or-adverb/ Copyright 2013, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms. 16